College and Career Readiness

The Kick-Off to College focuses on college and career readiness and is connected to the Riverside County Office of Education Pledge—that all students in Riverside County will graduate from high school well prepared for college and the workforce. 

All students can research colleges and careers throughout the school year by adding the Kick-off to College Canvas page to their courses. This is a self-paced course with all grade level modules available. 

The College/Career Readiness measure shows how well local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools are preparing students for likely success after graduation. Only graduates can be classified as Prepared or Approaching Prepared. For schools and LEAs to demonstrate success on this state measure, high school graduates must meet at least one of the criteria in the Prepared level.

The High School State Seal of Biliteracy

The California State Seal of Biliteracy Criteria established in legislation certifies attainment of a high level of proficiency in two or more languages. The English criteria include:

• Completion of all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or above.
• Passing the California Standards test in English language arts administered in grade 11 at the proficient level (3) or above. (There are no waivers for this seal, the exam must be taken in the 11th grade to qualify)
• For English learners not reclassified, attain the overall early advanced level on the English language development test

The criteria for proficiency in a language other than English is one of the following:

• Passing a World Language Advanced Placement examination with a score of 3 or higher
• Successful completion of a four-year high school course of study in a world language and attaining an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above
• Passing the SAT II world language examination with a score of 600 or higher

The Seal of Biliteracy is audited by the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) therefore, there are no exceptions for students who fail to meet all of the above requirements. The Seal of Biliteracy data is compiled from all student assessment data and transcripts and will be issued by the school on behalf of the district.

The Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD)

The Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD) insignia is awarded jointly by the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to recognize students who have demonstrated mastery of the high school curriculum in at least six subject areas.

To be eligible for the GSSMD, students (1) must be eligible to receive a high school diploma; and (2) must have demonstrated the mastery of the curriculum in at least six subject areas, as follows:

1. English language arts/literacy (ELA)—students must have earned one of any of the following:
   1. A grade of B+ or above (or numerical equivalent) in a single course (each semester) completed in grade nine or ten or eleven
   2. An achievement level of “Standard Met” or above for the high school California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) taken in the 11th grade
2. Mathematics—students must have earned one of any of the following:
   1. A grade of B+ or above (or numeric equivalent) in a single course (each semester) completed in grade nine or ten or eleven
   2. An achievement level of “Standard Met” or above for the high school California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) taken in the 11th grade
3. Science—students must have earned one of any of the following:
   1. A grade of B+ or above (or numeric equivalent) in a single course (each semester) completed in grade nine or ten or eleven
   2. A qualifying score that demonstrates mastery of the subject as determined by the LEA for an examination produced by a private provider or the LEA
4. U.S. history—students must have earned one of any of the following:
   1. A grade of B or above (or numerical equivalent) upon completion of the required U.S. history course (each semester)
5. Two additional subject areas
   1. Any additional qualifying grade or score listed above, earned for the subject of ELA, mathematics, science, or U.S. history not already used to meet eligibility, such as the CAASPP if not used above.
   2. A grade of B or above (or numerical equivalent) upon the completion of high school courses in other subjects
   3. A qualifying score that demonstrates mastery of the subject as determined by the LEA for an examination produced by a private provider or the LEA

These requirements are set by the state of California and the District for qualifying scores. Scores are pulled from Infinite Campus, CALPADS, and from the student's transcript. There are no waivers or exemptions for CAASPP exams allowed.